The Science of Writing Characters: Using Psychology to Create Compelling Fictional Characters

Description

The Science of Writing Characters is a comprehensive handbook to help writers create compelling and psychologically-credible characters that come to life on the page. Drawing on the latest psychological theory and research, ranging from personality theory to evolutionary science, the book equips screenwriters and novelists with all the techniques they need to build complex, dimensional characters from the bottom up. Writers learn how to create rounded characters using the 'Big Five' dimensions of personality and then are shown how these personality traits shape action, relationships and dialogue. Throughout The Science of Writing Characters, psychological theories and research are translated into handy practical tips, which are illustrated through examples of characters in action in well-known films, television series and novels, ranging from Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri and Game of Thrones to The Bonfire of the Vanities and The Goldfinch. This very practical approach makes the book an engaging and accessible companion guide for all writers who want to better understand how they can make memorable characters with the potential for global appeal. Title Page Copyright Page Contents Illustrations Figures Tables Acknowledgements Chapter 1: Introduction Who is this book for? What makes a great character? Is this another book on Jungian archetypes? How to use this book Chapter 2: The dimensions of personality Extroversion Agreeableness Neuroticism Conscientiousness Openness to experience The Myers–Briggs Type Indicator Personality traits, culture and context Personality and gender Personality and mental health The Dark and Light Triads of personality Drawing it all together Chapter 3: How personality shapes dialogue The chatty extrovert The quiet introvert Thoughtful and agreeable Insensitive and disagreeable Anxious and emotional Cool as a cucumber Work-oriented and conscientious Easy-going Open to experience, loves debate Down to earth, closed to experience Gender and language Language and power The language of intimacy Age, social class, communities and dialects Context Drawing it all together Chapter 4: Motivating character The fifteen evolutionary motivations Why some motivations make characters more compelling than others From external goal to internal need Internal conflict Short- and long-term motivations Revealing character through their decisions Drawing it all together Chapter 5: When, why and how characters transform When people change Why people change How people change Drawing it all together Chapter 6: The emotional journey How we empathize with a character Personality and emotions The six basic universal emotions Further universal emotions Emotional range Emotional arcs Page-turners How the story ends Drawing it all together Chapter 7: Secondary characters The Interpersonal Circumplex The functions of secondary characters How different characters get what they want Drawing it all together Chapter 8: A character workshop Finding the right protagonist Starting with your character’s personality Developing your character’s voice Giving your character motivations and beliefs Making your character transform Charting your character’s emotional journey Creating secondary characters Troubleshooting character problems Some final words Notes Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Glossary Index